A Boy Called Noah

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Noah James

Noah's tailbone digs into his new mattress in a very uncomfortable manner. He tries to adjust himself in vain and his body slumps back down into the orthopedic mattress. Seconds later the space surrounding his body deflates again and he lowers into the mattress further. A frustrated growl roars out of his throat and he tosses the covers away from his body. He determinedly reaches for his cane and pushes himself out of the bed, "Have to get out of this freaking house." he stumbles to his closet and yanks the doors open with extra force. He struggles into a jacket and shuffles to the door in a hurry. 

Noah leans his head out of the door to check that the coast is clear and attempts to quietly shuffle down the hall to the stairs. 

He gets an official four paces before Vick's door opens to reveal his brother in his training gear, with a gym bag slung over his shoulder. Vick's eyes narrow and he assesses his brother's attire, "Going somewhere?" 

2Noah's spirits and hopes of going outside drop to the ground and crawl away to a far corner along with his final shred of dignity. His eyes turn pleading as he smiles a sheepish smile at Vick, "Please, V. I have to get out. I'm losing my mind in this house and that bed is killing me... I hate just sitting around... you know that." Vick's expression does not change but he sighs in defeat, "Fine... just don't let Jess see you... she'll have your head." Noah nods his head quickly and Vick moves to his side to help him down the stairs. "We have to hurry... she was doing yoga and Vera said she normally does that for about an hour... Not too long, okay? And don't just touch anything... remember the doc said that one virus could do it..." 

Noah nods his head in understanding and a rather large lump gets stuck in his throat. He swallows it with great effort and gratefully leans his weight onto Vick's shoulder. Together they limp down the stairs and sneak Noah into the garage to his car. 

***

Noah's body relaxes as he runs his hands over the familiar leather seats and steering wheel. A smile spreads across his face and he gently turns the key in the ignition. Mechanical power rumbles and purrs under him, making him almost mewl in delight. He smoothly backs the car out of the garage and eases it onto the dark path to the town's main road. 

*** 

Noah's car parks in the driveway of the old place.  His eyes search for a sign of change but he finds no such thing. His fingers inch towards his cellphone but he hesitates. She won't want to see this. A second later he finds himself already dialing her number. She picks up on the fifth ring with a sense of nervousness to her tone, "Hello?" 

"Thea. Hi. How are you?" 

"Uhm... I'm okay, thanks. What about you?" Skepticism laces her voice.

"So I was thinking, I'm at this one place in town... well not in town but near it... anyway, would you, you know..."

Thea clears her throat, "Know what, Noah?"

Noah scratches his neck in nervousness, "Would you like to meet me here?"

"...send me a location."

Noah scrambles to send her a location of the house and when he tries to return to the call he sees that she has ended it. Only a text greets him, I'll be there in 20mins.

Noah's heart skips a beat and he glares down at his chest, "No. Not now, not even today."